The soldier, from the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, was
killed on patrol in central Helmand yesterday afternoon.

His death takes the number of service personnel to be killed in Afghanistan
since the start of operations in 2001 to 187.

The soldier is the 18th to die in the country since the start of the month.
Next of kin have been informed.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: “The death of any comrade brings sadness to the Task Force but we are consoled by
the fact that these deaths are not in vain.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends so affected by
this tragic event.”

* The latest death follows that of Corporal Joseph Etchells, who was killed in
an explosion on Sunday morning.

Cpl Etchells, 22, from Mossley, Greater Manchester, died while on foot patrol
in Sangin, in northern Helmand province.

The engaged father-of-one, who was serving with The 2nd Battalion the Royal
Regiment of Fusiliers, was described by colleagues as an “outstanding
soldier” and “a born leader” who “left a massive gap in
the company which will never be filled”.

* The son of a British Army general lost a leg in a blast in Afghanistan, it
was reported today.

Captain Harry Parker, 26, is seriously ill in Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham
after suffering multiple injuries in the explosion, according to The Sun.

His father is Lieutenant General Sir Nick Parker, who is the Army’s third most
senior officer and will become Deputy Commander of NATO forces in
Afghanistan in September, the newspaper said.

Capt Parker was injured by a bomb as he led a foot patrol of the 4th Battalion
The Rifles in Helmand on Saturday, it was reported.

A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: “We do not comment on individual
casualties.”

The Army press office in Afghanistan and Selly Oak Hospital also refused to
comment.

* Following are figures for foreign military deaths as a result of violence
or accidents in Afghanistan since 2001: